This is the first year Special Olympics P.E.I. is represented in basketball at the Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games. Members of Team P.E.I., competing this week in Medicine Hat, Alta., are front row, from left: Jacob MacNeill, Ty MacLeod, Jennifer Hickox, Rick Chan and Rachael Loggie. Back row, from left: Allan Gillis (assistant coach), Zachary Herbert, Braden Gaudet, Conner Arsenault and Troy Livingstone (head coach). Missing from photo is Mylène Arsenault (assistant coach). Photo by LOUISE VESSEY/Special Olympics P.E.I.Article contentThe ball swung from the right side, into the hands of the guy on the top facing the basket, then to me. I didn’t hesitate. I shot. And it went in.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThat was my moment. My only moment, in basketball history. At least as a player. I never scored again. Ever. It happened in junior high, called middle school these days. That’s how long ago that was.Article contentArticle contentThe only other moment fame tapped on my shoulder and asked if I was interested came years later. It was an intramural game in university and the same thing happened. Two passes, ball in my hands, no hesitation, the shot.Article contentArticle contentNothing but air.Article content“Um, Rick. Next time, you can just pass the ball to me,” a teammate said. I hope he went on to a career in Canada’s diplomatic corps. He had a knack for it.Article contentI took the hint and retired from playing.Article contentArticle contentThe next generationArticle contentMy return was prompted by Handsome Son, who picked up a ball for the first time in a game situation when he was in Grade 2. Finally, the organizers blew the whistle and suggested HS take a break. So someone else could touch the ball.Article contentAn ever-increasing amount of my family’s life over the next 10 years was spent – first coaching, then watching – in gyms from Halifax to Bangor, Me. to Sherbrooke, Que. during my son’s basketball career, which lasted into university.Article contentAnd then, as these things do, it ended. Until this week.Article contentWhich explains why I’m sitting in the cafeteria at Medicine Hat High School writing this, waiting for HS the team he is coaching to run onto the floor in an hour or so.Article contentArticle contentFront-page coverageArticle contentIt also explains how I bumped into Steven Loggie in the entrance to the gym yesterday. You might know Steve. He’s an Islander whose Linked-In account mentions a trucking firm. A quick search and you’ll find a 2023 story quoting him on the role Tremploy Inc. has played in the life of his daughter, Rachael.Article contentArticle contentA 30-something with Down syndrome, she’s a valued member of P.E.I.’s basketball team at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games being held here in Medicine Hat.Article contentArticle content The Special Olympics Canada Games are taking place in Medicine Hat, Alta., from Aug. 11–15, bringing together roughly 1,700 athletes, coaches, and staff to compete in 10 summer sports, including basketball. Photo by Rick MacLean /The GuardianArticle contentArticle contentShe was on the floor on the first day playing against Handsome Son’s Guelph 1 team in a ranking game at the gym. That game didn’t go great for P.E.I., but you’d never know it from the players.Article contentThey competed – hard, the whole way – in games against Manitoba, Team Toba is their nickname, and two Ontario teams.Article contentThat done, much of the afternoon and evening were spent preparing for, and taking part in, the opening ceremonies. The Medicine Hat News newspaper – “at home with you since 1885” – pulled out all the stops in its first-day coverage.Article contentThe entire front page of the hold-it-in-you-hands paper featured six photos, including a huge one of the opening ceremony in the packed Co-op Place. The story was headlined “Years of waiting over: Special Olympics Canada Summer Games open.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentSupportive familyArticle contentToday is Day 2 as I write this. Handsome Son’s team faces Ontario’s second team in the morning, then Manitoba in the afternoon. P.E.I. faces the B.C. Ravens at about the same time.
RICK MacLEAN: Special Olympics basketball is a family affair
